Locally filmed 'Under the Dome' renewed for second season

James "Big Jim" Rennie (Dean Norris, rear right) and the residents of Chester's Mill find themselves suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by a massive transparent dome, on "Under the Dome" on CBS. "Under the Dome" has been filming its first season in Wilmington since March. Photo: Michael Tackett/CBS

Published: Monday, July 29, 2013 at 10:08 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 29, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.

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The drama series, which has filmed in the Wilmington area since February, officially received a second season pick-up Monday.

The series will return in summer 2014 with 13 additional episodes.

Stephen King, whose book by the same name is the inspiration for the series, will write the second season premiere.

CBS CEO Leslie Moonves made the announcement at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Los Angeles.

"From what I've been told, filming will gear up again about the same time it did this year, in January or February," said Tim Bourne, a first-assistant director on the fast-paced production. "It's a great situation for our local film community and the people who do this for a living."

Bourne, who has worked as an executive producer for movies like "Joyful Noise" and "The Blind Side," said he joined the "Dome" ranks in order to stay in Wilmington.

"I enjoy working on challenging projects and have filmed all over, but this is a chance for me to stay home with my kids," he said.

Bourne cited North Carolina's film incentive program, which offers productions a 25 percent refundable tax credit based on their direct in-state spending on goods, services, labor and other costs, as a key factor in attracting and keeping "Dome" in the region.

"The show getting here in the first place is directly related to the state's film incentive tax program, but the show staying here is a result of the quality of crew and our infrastructure," Bourne said. "It's a wonderful testament to Wilmington."

The series has averaged more than 13 million viewers since its premiere June 24 and has been the top-rated scripted series on any broadcast network this summer.

It premiered to more than 13 million viewers, but, Moonves noted, "between DVR, video on demand and streaming, not including Amazon, that number increased to over 20 million viewers."

"Under the Dome" also is the most-watched series on the Amazon Prime streaming service, according to a CBS release.

Moonves cited the show's large international sales and online distribution deal with Amazon as key factors to the network's ability to air a show of its scale in the summer months, when networks try to spend less on their programming.

"International is a major, major part of our business," Moonves said.

About 25 miles north of EUE/Screen Gems Studios, where “Under the Dome’s” production offices are based, the series’ second-unit crew took a break from filming at Pender Memorial Hospital Monday to grab a cup of coffee from Brown Dog Coffee Co. on Fremont Street in downtown Burgaw, owner Donna Best-Klingel said.

Frequent "Dome" shoots in the Pender County town have kept business buzzing downtown all summer, she said.

"We had a group that just came in a few minutes ago. They were here on Friday, too, and we extended the hours because it's such a hubbub of activity when they're here," Best-Klingel said. "They're very supportive of the business and we're very happy and excited that it was renewed."

"Under the Dome" airs at 10 p.m. Mondays on CBS through Sept. 16. Production on the 13-episode first season wraps this week.

<p>CBS wants more "Under the Dome."</p><p>The drama series, which has filmed in the Wilmington area since February, officially received a second season pick-up Monday.</p><p>The series will return in summer 2014 with 13 additional episodes.</p><p>Stephen King, whose book by the same name is the inspiration for the series, will write the second season premiere.</p><p>CBS CEO Leslie Moonves made the announcement at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Los Angeles.</p><p>"From what I've been told, filming will gear up again about the same time it did this year, in January or February," said Tim Bourne, a first-assistant director on the fast-paced production. "It's a great situation for our local film community and the people who do this for a living."</p><p>Bourne, who has worked as an executive producer for movies like "Joyful Noise" and "The Blind Side," said he joined the "Dome" ranks in order to stay in Wilmington.</p><p>"I enjoy working on challenging projects and have filmed all over, but this is a chance for me to stay home with my kids," he said. </p><p>Bourne cited North Carolina's film incentive program, which offers productions a 25 percent refundable tax credit based on their direct in-state spending on goods, services, labor and other costs, as a key factor in attracting and keeping "Dome" in the region. </p><p>"The show getting here in the first place is directly related to the state's film incentive tax program, but the show staying here is a result of the quality of crew and our infrastructure," Bourne said. "It's a wonderful testament to Wilmington."</p><p>The series has averaged more than 13 million viewers since its premiere June 24 and has been the top-rated scripted series on any broadcast network this summer.</p><p>It premiered to more than 13 million viewers, but, Moonves noted, "between DVR, video on demand and streaming, not including Amazon, that number increased to over 20 million viewers."</p><p>"Under the Dome" also is the most-watched series on the Amazon Prime streaming service, according to a CBS release.</p><p>Moonves cited the show's large international sales and online distribution deal with Amazon as key factors to the network's ability to air a show of its scale in the summer months, when networks try to spend less on their programming.</p><p>"International is a major, major part of our business," Moonves said.</p><p>About 25 miles north of EUE/Screen Gems Studios, where “Under the Dome's” production offices are based, the series' second-unit crew took a break from filming at Pender Memorial Hospital Monday to grab a cup of coffee from Brown Dog Coffee Co. on Fremont Street in downtown Burgaw, owner Donna Best-Klingel said.</p><p>Frequent "Dome" shoots in the Pender County town have kept business buzzing downtown all summer, she said.</p><p>"We had a group that just came in a few minutes ago. They were here on Friday, too, and we extended the hours because it's such a hubbub of activity when they're here," Best-Klingel said. "They're very supportive of the business and we're very happy and excited that it was renewed."</p><p>"Under the Dome" airs at 10 p.m. Mondays on CBS through Sept. 16. Production on the 13-episode first season wraps this week.</p><p>StarNews staff writer Cassie Foss contributed to this report.</p><p>Jeff Hidek: 343-2371</p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @JeffHidek</p>